Bill > A01816

This bill amends the New York Penal Law to include animal fighting as a specific type of criminal activity for the purposes of enterprise corruption crimes. Specifically, the bill adds section three hundred fifty-one of the agriculture and markets law, which pertains to animal fighting, to the existing list of felonies that can be considered criminal activity. Enterprise corruption is a legal concept that allows prosecutors to charge individuals involved in ongoing criminal enterprises with a more serious crime, even if they did not personally commit all the specific criminal acts. By adding animal fighting to this list, the bill broadens the scope of what can be considered criminal enterprise, potentially making it easier to prosecute individuals involved in organized animal fighting operations. The amendment expands the legal tools available to law enforcement to combat systematic animal cruelty and related criminal activities. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law, giving time for legal professionals and law enforcement to prepare for the new provision.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1816